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Cuesta College Community Programs
(Bldg 4700, San Luis Obispo Cuesta College Campus on Hwy 1)
PO Box 8106, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8106
Phone: (805) 546-3132; Fax: (805) 546-3107

Instructor Biographies

Bayhan, Ron - Ron Bayhan has a Masters of Arts degree and has lectured studio classes in photography, printmaking, and art appreciation since 1974 in the California Community College and State University systems.

Bradley-Lenet, Jennifer - Jennifer Bradley-Lenet has a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She is co-owner of Morro Creek Nursery and Landscape Co, 7^th Heaven Organics in Cayucos and has sold blueberries or other certified organic goodies at local Farmers Markets. Jennifer has been a canner and preserver of her organic produce for over 35 years. She also writes garden articles for www.Learn2Grow.com and has traveled throughout the world exploring horticulture and cooking.
 

Broida, Dave - Dave Broida is a private Blues instructor and musician. He has taught Beginning Blues Harmonica at California Community Colleges and the Parks and Recreation Departments since 2000. Dave has been performing professionally for more than 20 years throughout Northern California.

Carmichael, Joshua Jay - Josh Carmichael is a certified permaculture instructor, building contractor, and longtime resident of San Luis Obispo County. He is the owner of Carmichael Environmental, a statewide land use consulting & design firm started in 2001. They specialize in sustainable design-build landscape construction, native habitat restoration, and public demonstration projects. Josh has also taught courses for Cal Poly Continuing Education and lectured for several local garden clubs and environmental agencies including the California Native Plant Society, SLO Botanical Garden, Morro Bay National Estuary Program, and the Atascadero Mutual Water Company. He is currently the Sustainable Programs Director for the California Landscape Contractor’s Association SLO Chapter and contributing committee member of the SLO Green Build Coalition of Appropriate Technology.

Carro, Joseph - Joseph Carro has an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University and owned Comco Computers in Atascadero. He has taught multiple subjects, including Spanish and Italian, has been in the teaching field since 1979 and has taught at Cuesta College for over 5 years.

Case Bennett, Phyllis - Phyllis Case Bennett has been a popular teacher of Chinese Brush Painting and Western Watercolor for over 26 years – over 20 years on the Central Coast. She is associated with the China Art Academy, Hangzhou, China where she has studied annually for many years.


 

Collier, Myla - Myla Collier studied at Parsons, and graduated in Fashion Design from FIT in New York City. She worked there in sportswear design and textile marketing before moving to California. While still in New York she started weaving tapestry at the Craft Students League and has continued studying tapestry weaving ever since. During the 1980’s while at home with her young son, she began restored Navajo and Mexican textiles. This experience sparked her interest in native cultures beyond weaving and into further schooling. She earned a B.A. and M.A. in Cultural Anthropology from California State University, Long Beach and has taught Cultural Anthropology at Cal Poly and Cuesta College.

Cook, Charlotte - Charlotte Cook, MFA, is president of KOMENAR Publishing, a publishing house that began in 2005, and the principal consultant with Write Ideas, an editing and publishing consulting firm. Charlotte has 20 years experience developing writers and story-based writing, advancing writers’ styles and projects, often to publication and industry recognition. Through KOMENAR, Charlotte brought out six award-winning novels by first-time novelists.  Charlotte is a sought-after faculty presenter at major writers conferences across the nation, including the South Carolina Writers Workshop, Rocky Mountain Fiction (Denver, CO), Willamette (Portland, OR), San Francisco, Central Coast (San Luis Obispo, CA), CWC Jack London and CWC East of Eden Writers Conferences.  She’s been a featured speaker at California Writers Club throughout the area and writing teacher in adult school programs. 
Find Charlotte at www.komenarpublishing.com, www.fictionwriteideas.com, http://fictionwriteideas.blogspot.com and charcook@komenarpublishing.com

Davis, Julie - Julie Davis has been cooking around the county since 1980 as a caterer, chef, baker and working at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory decorating holiday chocolates. She owns “Julie’s Gingerbread” and stays busy during the winter season making and selling houses.

Davis, Katy - Since 1976, Kathleen Davis has owned Apple Farm, Porch~Home & Garden and Davis Design Group and has given many talks on interior design to classes at Cuesta, Cal Poly and community groups. She currently teaches Hospitality Management at Cuesta College.


 

Dilts, Christopher - Christopher Dilts has lead group meditation and energy circles in the Americas and Europe for over 17 years. He is also an internationally recognized Angel expert who has a precious gift for helping people sense and connect with their Angels. See www.AskAnAngel.com  for more information.

Dinunzio, Charlotte Rushton - Charlotte Rushton Dinunzio has worked as a photojournalist at newspapers across the US, UK and Costa Rica. She now runs a successful photography business in Los Osos. Charlotte offers not only a wealth of experience, but also enormous enthusiasm for this subject.



 

Dobbs, John - John Dobbs PhD is a psychologist and certified Jungian Analyst who trained in Zurich and Los Angeles. He serves on the teaching faculty of the C.G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles, and is currently developing the Institute's forthcoming Doctoral program in Analytical Psychology. He practices in Santa Monica and San Luis Obispo.

Doe, Kris Kris Doe is a graduate of Art Center College of Design where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration. With over twelve years experience teaching at college level, he understands well the challenges students face at the beginning level and creates a comfortable learning environment that encourages student's personal creativity while learning the basics.

 

Emrick, Ted - Ted Emrick has made a career solely as a professional artist for over 30 years.. Specializing in multi-media and glass sculptures, his artwork can be found in galleries and collections worldwide. He earned a B.A. from the San Francisco Art Institute and studied with Cal State Long Beach, Masters of Fine Arts Program.

Farmer, Harry - Harry Farmer began his Astrology studies in the early 1970’s. In 1999, he began focusing on Astrology as the career for the remainder of his life and has taught classes in Cambria, North County and Morro Bay since 2002.

Forbes, Melinda - Melinda Forbes has a B.S. in Crops Science, MS International Agriculture, spent 2 years in Costa Rica involved in Small Farmer Cropping Systems Research, and over 30 years teaching experience in gardening, herbal studies, cooking, and art classes. She is a lifelong gardener, lived on 1.5 acres of land since the mid 1980s and her garden was included in the San Luis Obispo Botanical Society’s annual garden tour fundraiser, focusing on North County gardens.

Francis, Gene - Gene Francis has been a professional artist since the mid 1980s. He has worked across the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan and now owns Gene Francis Art Gallery which has been open since 1999.

Geltner, Elaina - Elaina Geltner has been assisting others to find their path and create lives that support their heart’s desire for over 30 years.  As the founder and co-director of QuietStar Center for Transformation, and developer of Soul Path Alignment™, her greatest joy is in creating a safe space for people to express who they truly are. Visit www.QuietStar.com/Elaina.htm for more information.

Gray, Lisa - Lisa Gray has a master’s degree in Education/Counseling and Student Services, a Bachelor’s in Human Development and she is also an avid quilter. She is a member of the American Quilt Study Group and the Bear Valley Guilt Guild. She has demonstrated the English Paper technique to local quilters.

Habib, Kenneth - Kenneth Habib has taught Arabic at Santa Barbara City College and is currently the Assistant Director of the Middlebury College Arabic School. His Ph.D. is in ethnomusicology with a specialization in the Middle East and he also directs Arabic music ensembles at Cal Poly and at the Middlebury College Arabic School.

Harvey, Joy - Joy Harvey has studied the history and philosophy of Chinese Brush Painting and Calligraphy for over 30 years. To further her expertise, she has completed 10 certificated courses at the China Art Academy in Hangzhou, PRC.
Joy loves to explore Chinese Calligraphy for its dynamic and creative expression. She has shown her work internationally, winning awards and distinctions.

Heller, Paul - Paul Heller has over twenty-five years experience traveling round the world as a volunteer, instructor, student and traveler. He founded “Travel with Paul” in 2004 and provides seminars, booklets; extensive travel tips sheets and consulting services to travelers.

 

Hoerl, Marilyn - Marilyn Hoerl has a B.A. in Art from California State University; Long Beach, and owns her own Stained Glass business. She has created over 200 windows for homes, churches and businesses.

Hoffman, Barbara - Barbara Hoffman has 5 years experience in teaching creative writing to children, teens, and adults and 2 years teaching creative writing in after-school program including teens. She is a published author of materials for teachers with 3 years professional editing experience that includes project development and finding and mentoring new authors. Currently she teaches at Cuesta College.

Knowles, Juliet - Juliet Knowles has worked in the computer and web design field for over five years and has taught for the Cuesta College Community Education department since 1999. 

Krull, Joy - Joy Krull is a working professional artist who has been teaching art since 1980. She is experienced in all mediums, including oil/acrylic, watercolor, pastel, drawing and mixed media. She taught at Saddleback College, Coastline College and Tustin and Saddleback Adult Education before coming to Cuesta College in 2000.

Krusemark, LeeAnne - LeeAnne Krusemark is a journalist and book author and has owned an award-winning, home-based public relations business for more than 15 years. She facilitates more than 100 educational workshops each year nationwide.

 

Leitch, Frances - Frances Leitch has a BA in English Literature with a writing emphasis. She wrote for Vocational Biographies for 15 years and has done newspaper and feature magazine articles for schools. Frances has written advertising and public relations, written and published poetry, and has novelist techniques experience.
 

Lewis, Linda - Linda Lewis has 30 years of experience as a jewelry designer and 20 years doing art shows in California and the East Coast. She has a degree in Applied Art and Design from Cal Poly and Diamond Setting Courses at Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica. 

Lindhorst, Steve - Steve Lindhorst has taught eBay University and eBay University for Motors nationally since 2002. He is a featured speaker at industry trade shows and eBay’s own annual “eBay Live” and has taught classes for Continuing Education at Cal Poly and Community Education classes for Atascadero and Paso Robles.
 

Lyons, Marguerite - Marguerite Lyons entered her first group art show at Springfield Museum of Art in Massachusetts where she earned an honorable mention award. She had her first one-person show in 1994 at Chaffee Art Center in Rutland, Vermont. Since then she has exhibited her paintings in more than 60 group shows at major museums and institutions throughout the United States. She has also exhibited her paintings in one-woman shows throughout California and has received many top honors. She has also been elected to the Salmagundi Club of New York City, the National Art League and the American Artist Professional League and holds signature membership in a dozen art societies.

Marcove, Kathleen - Kathleen Marcove has 18 years experience training professionals in organizational behavior, managing diversity, and training the trainer. She has traveled extensively, training for a wide variety of private and public organizations throughout the world most notably the US Peace Corps, Operation Smile, and Terra Livre. As a graduate of the American College of Switzerland, Kathy holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Political Studies and after serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Papua New Guinea continued her education earning a Master’s degree in International and Intercultural Management from the School for International Training. Kathleen has been a faculty member at Cuesta College since 2000 in the Business Administration Department, a founding faculty member of the Customer Service Academy, and recruited by the Institute for Professional Development to develop the Supervision and Management Academy.  Additionally she has been a faculty member teaching international management courses for Columbia College. Currently Kathleen is the President of Marcove Enterprises, and the founder and master trainer for Marcove Executive Training, which specializes in team management programs.

McBride, Rhonda - Rhonda McBride is a former fashion designer who has worked with many well-known manufacturers of active sportswear. Her career has included designing collections for White Stag, Puma, and Hot Chilly’s. She currently teaches Fashion Design, Fashion Illustration, and Rendering and Rapid Visualization for Interior Design at Cuesta College.

McCabe, John - John McCabe has a MS in Engineering and has had a life-long interest in Geology. He is the past president and currently Director of Education of the Santa Lucia Rockhounds Club, a docent at the Museum of Natural History and tutors Cuesta College Geology students.

McCarthy, Vanessa - Vanessa McCarthy has been using Photoshop CS2 since 2001 for image processing, photo restoration, digital imaging and color management, is a professional photographer and has been working in photography, videography and digital imaging for over 10 years. She attended De Anza Community College and then graduated from Brooks Institute of Photography in 2005 where her BA in Visual Journalism covers journalistic/documentary photography and video production, videography as well as web and graphic design. She currently works for Sandprints in Morro Bay

McCreery, Maria Renee - Maria Renée McCreery is a Spanish/English State Court Certified Interpreter and a Translator. She was born and raised in Córdoba, Argentina, where she obtained a Bachelors Degree in Translation from the School of Languages of the National University of Córdoba. She graduated from the UCLA Legal Interpretation and Translation Program where she was trained in court interpreting and translation. She has experience in medical interpreting, court interpreting, and written translation of legal, technical, scientific, commercial, and medical documents, among other fields. This year she presented a conference on court interpreting at the National University of Córdoba in Argentina. She is currently employed by the Superior Court of California, Santa Maria Division.

Moody, Carl - Carl Moody has a Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literature and has been a member of a local Russian musical performance group since 2001. He also has over 10 years of experience teaching Russian at the community college and university level.
 

Parrish, Berta - Berta Parrish has over 40 hours in the Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute, currently teaches a dream interpretation class called Art, Dreams, and Creativity at Cuesta College and has conducted many workshops and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute classes on Jungian themes.

Porter, Sue - Sue Porter holds a B.A. degree in French from California State, Northridge and travels extensively in France. She has taught French for Travelers for Cuesta Community Programs since 1987 and also is employed by the Cuesta College Tutorial Center.

Rau, John - John Rau has 39 years of music experience in guitar and drums. With a vast background in computers and communications, he brings his love of teaching to his love of percussions and guitar. He is a certified teacher with Instant Classes Now and desires to help beginners get off to the best start possible.
 

Sayre, Jennifer - Jennifer Sayre is an experienced instructor and performer. She has concertized throughout the US and in Europe as a soloist and an ensemble musician. Jennifer began teaching harp while still in college and enjoys helping students grow in their ability and appreciation of the instrument.

Schubert, Steve - Steve Schubert has a graduate degree in Biological Sciences. He teaches at an environmental education outdoor school attended by several thousand students each school year and has taught for Cuesta College Community Programs for more than 15 years. He has worked as an instructor at the Audubon Camp in Maine and as a naturalist on cruise ships through the Inside Passage to Alaska. Steve is the volunteer coordinator for the Hi Mountain Lookout Project.
 

Seals, Joseph -  Joseph Seals is a Horticultural Consultant/Landscape Designer. He currently teaches at Allan Hancock and Cal Poly, SLO and is KCOY-TV 12’s former “Garden Guru.” He is also an international food authority, a former restaurant chef, a specialty caterer and is the favorite grandson of Vittoria Tocco, Sicilian chef par excellence. Joe has been teaching for Cuesta Community Programs since 2007 and is a former Staff Editor and Writer with Sunset Magazine and Books; free-lance writer to 20+ magazines; writer for four “e-zines”.

 

Sheridan, Rick - Rick Sheridan teaches full-time at Wilberforce University in Ohio, and also teaches online courses through the College of Marin and Santa Rosa Community Colleges. He has taught for Cuesta Community Programs since 2005.

 

Skinner, James - James Skinner, M.A. has been involved with the psychology of C.G. Jung since 1967. He was on the board of the Orange County Jung Club and a committee member of the C.G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles. Upon moving to San Luis Obispo in 1980 he was one of the founding members of the Central Coast Jung Society. His Masters thesis at Norwich University was The Color Stages of Alchemy. He continues to be interested in the analytical psychology of C.G. Jung.

Swanberg, Ardella - Ardella Swanberg loves to paint and to teach about art.  Ardella received a BS in Art Education, from the University of Minnesota. She has taught art classes for the Cuesta College Emeritus program, paints with the Wednesday Irregulars in Cambria and she does figure drawing every Friday in Morro Bay. Ardella currently gives one day workshops for Cuesta College and teaches for the Cayucos Art Association. She thinks that knowledge of the elements and principles of art are vital to creating wonderful art works. She is an advocate of Artist Trading Cards and loves to teach new artists ways to make their paintings glow.

Tamiazzo, John - John A. Tamiazzo, PhD., specializes in Imagery, Clinical Hypnotherapy, & Holistic Health and Healing. He earned his doctorate degree in East/West Consciousness Psychology. He has taught Health Education for Moorpark Community College and Self-Hypnosis for Health, Harmony, and Peak Performance and Nutrition and Wellness for Santa Barbara City College Adult Education for over 10 years and courses for them in Psychology and Personal Development for 25 years.

Tyler, Bobbe - Bobbe Tyler is a native Californian, and—like each of her three children—was born and raised in Los Angeles.She moved to Cambria, CA in 1999, one of her reasons being to finally become the full-time writer of her earliest dreams and most serious intentions. Her career up to that time had been in corporate administration and communications, including: a nation-wide architectural and planning firm (Pereira & Luckman); a world-wide film industry company (Lucasfilm Ltd.); and the Times Mirror Corporation, who at that time owned and serviced The Los Angeles Times and other media companies.Now realizing her life-long objective to write full-time, she has recently finished her first book: Searching for Soul: A Survivor’s Guide, published by Ohio University/Swallow Press.

Valentine, Elisha - Coming Soon

Vaughn, Suzan - Suzan Vaughn holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Communication and has been a student and teacher of metaphysical phenomenon for more than 25 years. As a psychic counselor, she has helped hundreds of people identify issues facing their beloved pets, predict their future, and sort out life’s toughest circumstances.  Suzan serves as Contributing Editor at Species Link Magazine, the magazine for inter-species  communicators, in association with animal communication pioneer Penelope Smith.

Vembu, Neomi - Neomi Vembu has been a professional graphic designer for over 20 years. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park Maryland in 1987 and began designing print materials using Adobe Illustrator, Pagemaker and Photoshop. While living in Portland, Oregon before moving to California, Neomi was hired through Portland Community College’s graphic design department as a part-time instructor to teach Adobe Illustrator and Quark XPress. Since then, she has updated to Adobe InDesign which works seamlessly with Pagemaker, QuarkXpress, Illustrator, Acrobat and Adobe Photoshop files.

Voices for All - The Voices for All Voice Coach/Producer/Instructors are known for their fun and informative presenting methods. Our Coaches have many years experience in the Voiceover Industry, and are masters at teaching all of the information pertinent to making it in Voice Acting. Whether it be speaking, presenting, writing, producing, or announcing, Voices For All has it covered. With hundreds of Regional & National Commercials, and Public Service Announcements under their belts, our instructors not only deliver the highest quality education and coaching to their students, but their unique enthusiasm and expertise bring an element of fun and excitement to the classroom as well.

Waksman, Karen - Karen Waksman is a Manufacturers Representative, Consultant and Speaker with more than a decade of experience selling products to Major Chain Store Retailers.  She has sold everything from Consumer Electronics, Fashion Accessories, Costume Jewelry, Toys, Gift Items, etc. to just about every Major Retailer. Karen has spent years perfecting the formula she uses to sell millions of units to Major Retailers—the same formula she will be sharing with you in this exciting seminar!

Waldorf, Laura Lee - Laura Lee Waldorf is a certified Bonnie Prudden™ Myotherapist and Natural Health Consultant who is committed to assisting people in "learning to live pain free." She provides an interactive self-healing program developed through over 20 years of study and experience. Her training includes The School of Natural Healing (Dr. Christopher), Bonnie Prudden’s Myotherapy institute in Tucson and courses with Dr Richard Schulze. Visit www.QuietStar.com for more info.

Watkins, Suzanne - M.A. ASID, IIDA, Suzanne Watkins is an experienced, professional interior designer and university educator, with a special interest in senior lifestyles and age-related design solutions.

Wensloff, Kathy - Kathy Wensloff’s path to vibrant health has led her to discover and share living/raw food. She is certified as a living foods chef/instructor by Alissa Cohen, has studied with Cherie Soria and is a certified massage therapist. More information at: www.QuietStar.com/live.htm. 

Wilshusen, Cynthia - Cynthia Wilshusen holds an MBA with a concentration in Enterprise Accounting. She has worked in the accounting and financial industry for 18 exciting years. She served as the Director of the Cuesta College Small Business Development Center where she consulted business owners in business development and accounting. She owns her own bookkeeping and business development business and is a QuickBooks Pro Advisor. She has been teaching at Cuesta College for eleven years in a variety of topics including computerized accounting and principles of accounting, plus other computer related topics. She also teaches at Santa Barbara City College online for similar topics.

Zanoli, Helen - Helen Zanoli graduated from Cal Poly in 1980 with a degree in Industrial Arts. She has been a small business owner for over 25 years, specializing in interior plant design and the design and construction of garden furniture. Helen has been employed at Cuesta College since 2005 as a woodworking instructor and she also teaches woodworking to 4H students.

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Send your Community Programs questions/comments/suggestions to: Karen Linn

Send your Sports Camp questions/comments/suggestions to: Kirk Carmichael